Anna Robards, nee Heinrich, is feeling fabulous at nearly 40.
The blonde beauty who captured the hearts of the nation, and Tim Robards, during the very first season of The Bachelor in 2013 has spoken to Woman’s Day about the next chapter of her life, as she navigates marriage, motherhood, life in the public eye, and reveals why she thinks ‘balance’ is a buzz word that doesn’t have a neat place in modern society.
Anna on being ‘nervous’ about turning 40
“If I’m honest, I’m nervous. I’ve never thought about age this much before, and I don’t want to become that person who’s fixated on it. Working in this industry means I’m always looking at ways to improve, but lately that’s shifted more internally, toward my health, which I think naturally reflects outward too,” Anna tells Woman’s Day.
She spoke about having a guest, Peter Crone, on her podcast In Your Skin recently, who said something that’s stuck with her since.
“Nothing ages you more than worrying about aging,” Anna says. “So while I think about it more than I’d like to, what I’ve come to love is that I’m looking after myself in a deeper way now. What I’m doing for my body today is so much better than what I was doing at thirty, and I think that’s one of the real gifts of getting older, you start to value and appreciate yourself more.”
On navigating a public life with her family
Anna said navigating life in the public is “tricky” but she still wants to enjoy her life to the fullest potential possible.
“It’s always been a tricky one, but over time you get used to it and you just have to live your life. There are moments I hold back, like second guessing an extra glass of wine in case something gets blown out of proportion, but I know I’m a responsible person and I refuse to stop enjoying my life because of it,” she shares.
“There was a moment recently where a pap was photographing us, which doesn’t happen as often these days. My daughter noticed and asked why that man was taking our photo, and I honestly didn’t know how to answer. I think I just brushed past the question, I’m still not sure if that was the right call. The girls know we’ve been on TV and have seen us in magazines, but they don’t really understand what any of it means, and I just don’t think they care,” she laughs.
“I think I navigate it by staying out of the noise where I can. If something is misinformation, we try not to engage with it. I’d rather protect my energy and enjoy my life than let something negative take up space that isn’t really part of who I am.”
On her beauty hacks, especially as a busy mum
“Honestly, you just don’t have the time you used to [as a mother],” Anna says. “My skincare, makeup and hair routine is all about efficiency now!”
Part of that includes, what she calls “cheating a little”.
“I have my lips tattooed shhhh, so there’s a soft permanent line that means I wake up looking put together without trying,” she reveals. “And lash extensions are a lifesaver, I can go from the pool or a shower and still look like myself, no effort required!”
And as for products, you won’t find her doing a 10-step beauty routine every day. In fact she credits one product in particular for her glowing skin.
“I’ve actually been trying to simplify rather than add more products,” she says. “Every night I take my INTU sleep and skin renewal and my gut and skin rejuvenation. On my skin, I’ve recently started trying the Hada Labo Tokyo Wrinkle Corrector Serum, it’s got super hyaluronic acid, collagen and pro-retinol in it, which is this next level hydrating ingredient developed in Japan. It’s super lightweight and great for sensitive skin.”
On the fact you can’t do it all
Anna told Woman’s Day that the word “balance” – when it comes to busy women – is thrown around a lot, but she firmly believes you can’t actually do it all.
Though Anna’s routine has changed a lot as she approaches 40 – prioritising fitness and training more – she said the real non-negotiable is taking time for herself – and that includes a break from her family!
“The real non negotiable now is taking time for myself, away from the kids and family, to reset. I’m lucky to have a really supportive partner who steps in when I need that space,” she candidly says.
“My balance definitely isn’t a neat fifty-fifty split between kids and work, or splitting things equally with my husband. Some days I have to make myself the priority, other days it’s my kids, other days it’s work. It’s never going to be perfectly even, but it’s my version of balance and it works for me.”
She said she and Tim also try to prioritise their individual time and relationship as much as possible.
“What stops me from burning out is genuinely taking time for myself, away from the kids and my husband, whether that’s the gym, a massage, or just some quiet time. Tim and I also try to get away together at least once a year without the kids if we can, because it helps us grow as a couple too,” she candidly says.
“I’ve got a lot of different parts of my life I need to keep flourishing, and I try to give each of them what they need as best I can.”
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